1. AGB Vol. II (A-D)*
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THE MARKET which Buick is known, building on Earl’s belief publication announced that Buick was moving to Is any other product or industry as associated with that innovation is an indelible part of the spirit of a 200 by 65 feet brick building in Flint, Michigan. the United States as the automobile? Whether American style. September 1903 also saw the first Buick adver- studying emotional appeal or economic impact, to But even before Earl’s influence on the tisement. Needless to say, a lot has happened learn about cars is to learn about America, and vice brand, other people brought innovations to Buick since then. versa. Americans love their cars, and a consumer’s that affected generations of Americans in myriad David Dunbar Buick was born in Scotland in self-image is often reflected in the car he or she ways. In 1914, automotive pioneer Alanson P. 1854, and his family came to America two years drives. And not only do Americans later. In his adolescence and drive cars, but cars drive America. young adulthood, David Buick Industries whose fortunes are tied delivered papers, worked on a directly to a healthy automotive farm, and was a foreman at a com- sector include textiles, metals, pany that made plumbing fixtures. advertising, and professional sports. He is credited with thirteen inven- The auto industry will likely tions in the 1880s, for items such sell in excess of 16.5 million vehi- as a lawn sprinkler, bathtubs, and cles this year, and to state that the a flushing device. Eventually, his U.S. auto industry is a trillion- interests turned toward the possi- dollar-a-year business may even bilities of the gasoline engine, and underestimate the importance of the he organized a firm called the automotive market to the health of Buick Auto-Vim and Power Com- the American economy and psyche. pany. With the significant influ- The market features numerous new ence of his mechanical genius model introductions every year, and partner, Walter Lorenzo Marr — it has become driven by technology, who perfected a four-cylinder innovation, and an eye to the future. gasoline motor wagon and devel- oped a spark advance device — ACHIEVEMENTS the first Buick was built around In this industry that holds so much importance for Brush — considered by some as the outstanding the turn of the century at Buick’s shop in a barn America, Buick is a standout brand and product. U.S. automotive engine expert of his era — behind his house. May 19, 2003, marks Buick’s 100th anniversary, moved the Buick driver’s seat from the right- to Although originally scoffing at the invention and a review of its first hundred years testifies to the left-hand side, a change that originally brought of the automobile, William Durant was essentially the influence of one of America’s greatest brands. protests from consumers. Buick President Ed responsible for the elevation of Buick from a local In the history of Buick’s first 100 years, various Strong decided that the new 1928 Buicks would Flint manufacturer to worldwide icon. Durant had names rise to the fore; however, none is greater feature the latest electronics marvel: radio. Buick taken an interest in Buick in 1904–05, and in 1908 than Harley Earl. can also boast of many engineering and techno- he created General Motors, quickly placing Buick Harley Earl first brought the idea of the concept logical advances and innovations over its first 100 under the GM umbrella. By 1908, Buick claimed car to Buick in the late 1930s, forever changing the years. Brush’s and Strong’s contributions should U.S. car leadership with production of 8,820 vehi- way automobiles would be designed and made. In resonate with any American who ever sat behind cles. A scant fifteen years later, the company Earl’s thinking, the cars of the future could be built the wheel of a car. would build the one millionth Buick. right then, and thus began the forward thinking for Buick’s commitment to innovation and HISTORY forward thinking was evident early, Buick entered U.S. automo- with its 1911 advertising slogan, tive history in a quiet fash- “When Better Automobiles ion. On May 21, 1903, Are Built, Buick Will under the modest title Build Them.” of “Recent Incorporations” During World War I, in Motor World, came the Buick built Liberty aircraft announcement: “Buick Motor engines, mortar shells, Company, under Michigan ambulances, and experi- laws, to manufacture automo- mental tanks to support biles, automobile equipment, the war effort. For power machinery, etc., capital World War II, Buick $100,000. Incorporators: David converted all of its Dunbar Buick, Thomas D. Flint factories exclu- Buick and Emil D. Moessner.” sively for war work. Four months later, the Sixty-five percent of 20 world’s number one–ranked player, Tiger Woods. Woods has been a member of the Buick team since 2000. Aside from its involvement in the world of professional golf, Buick is a proud sponsor of the Primetime Emmy Awards. The auto manufac- turer also utilizes state-of-the-art exhibit trailers that travel the country to provide potential Buick customers with the experience of Buick products in a fun, interactive environment. BRAND VALUES The Buick Motor Division is dedicated to manu- facturing products that are gracefully styled, powerful, and effortlessly functional. These high- quality vehicles are built to give both drivers and passengers a feeling of confidence, pleasure, and well-being. Reflected in the spirit of the charismatic Harley Earl, the man who invented American auto- motive design, Buick offers the promise of great cars that capture the essence of American style. their automobile machine tools would be reworked RECENT DEVELOPMENTS *Study based on a total of 64,909 consumer responses indicating owner-reported problems during the first or redesigned. Production lines were ripped out, Buick has won many industry awards. Most 90 days of ownership. and inspection stations and testing room equipment recently, Century and LeSabre took the 2002 J.D. were all removed to storage. Aircraft engine parts, Power and Associates* highest ranking for initial **Vehicles in the $23,000 to $30,000 range. Reprinted with permission from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, tanks, aircraft-gun mounts, and artillery shells took quality, and Kiplinger’s** magazine voted Park December 2001 issue. the place of automobile production. Avenue and LeSabre “First for Safety.” In addi- The postwar years spawned a classic era tion, The Detroit News recognized the 2002 Buick of Buick styling and technical innovation. Rendezvous as its Truck of the Year, and Autoweek THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT Throughout the mid-1950s, Buick’s popularity pegged Buick Bengal® as Best Concept Car for 2001. BUICK soared with the development of features such as hard-top convertible styling, the Dynaflow auto- PROMOTION ❍ matic transmission, and the vertical bar-grille. When Americans think of professional golf spon- In 1906, a Model F Buick was the only car For 1962, the Buick Special was introduced, sorship, Buick is a top-of-mind company. Buick has to complete a thousand-mile relay run from featuring the first U.S. mass- been bringing PGATOUR tourna- Chicago to New York. produced V6 engine. During the ments to the attention of the Amer- ❍ During the postwar model years of 1946 1974–75 model year, Buick rein- ican public for over forty years. and 1947, Buick offered — without charge troduced the fuel-efficient V6. Harley Earl was here. Since its title sponsorship of — special driving controls to disabled The 3.8-liter “3800” V6 would the first Buick Open back in World War II veterans. eventually become the premier 1958, Buick’s commitment to ❍ Buick’s presence in popular culture has a engine in Buick’s naturally aspi- golf has been an integral part of long history. C. B. Dixon, an enterprising rated, turbocharged, and super- the company’s focus. Buick has manager of the Hollywood, California, Buick charged versions. raised more than $23 million for franchise back in the 1920s and 1930s, made In 1999, an era came to an local charities through its multi- sure that all the movie stars who came into end when the last of nearly 16 mil- ple PGA TOUR events. the dealership had their pictures taken with a lion Buicks were built in Flint, Over the decades, Buick’s Buick, and the photos were then used in Michigan. The company has shifted commitment to the sport has deep- newspaper ads. Among the people featured manufacturing to various facili- ened and grown. The company were Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, Clara Bow, and the Our Gang group. ties located throughout North For GM design guru now proudly claims title sponsor- America. With nearly 37 million Harley Earl, giving an ship of three major PGA TOUR ❍ Buicks have been prominently featured in Buicks produced in its 100-year automobile a feminine touch events and the largest amateur some great Academy Award–winning Amer- history, Buick looks toward the went way beyond the golf event in the United States: ican films: from Paul Newman in 1967’s hood ornament. future now with its five estab- • The Buick Invitational, at Torrey Cool Hand Luke being taken back to jail in In 1943, he hired the a 1941 Special Estate® Wagon to Dustin lished and distinct models and the industry’s first female Pines Golf Course in LaJolla, 2004 model year introduction of California Hoffman’s claims of being an “excellent designers. These “Damsels ® TM driver” of his family’s 1949 Roadmaster the Rainier , Buick’s first full- of Design” soon brought a • The Buick Classic, at Westches- convertible in 1988’s Rain Man.